Retainer for vendable merchandise



May 20, 1952 H. s. CHILDERS RETAINER FOR VENDABLE MERCHANDISE Filed March 25, 1949 INVENTOR. S. CHiLDERS HARRY W I M TTORN Ys Patented May 20, 1952 UNITE ST FFICE RETAINER FOR VENDABLE MERCHANDISE Harry S. Childcrs, Fresno, Calif., assignor to Vendorlator Manufacturing Company, Fresno,

Calif.

This invention relates generally to vending machines and more particularly to means for retaining vendable merchandise in storage position within a merchandise carrier or magazine of a vending machine.

The merchandise retainer of the present invention is particularly adapted for use with bottle vending machines of the character disclosed in my United States Letters Patent No. 2,290,275 issued July 21, 1942, as well as with the structures disclosed in my co-pending applications for Letters Patent of the United States, Serial No. 709,209, filed November 12, 1946, and Serial No. 718,712, filed December 27, 1946, now abandoned. The exemplary environments illustrated therein characterize but do not limit structures with which the merchandise retainer of the present invention is advantageously associated. It is also to be understood that the retainer of the present invention is not limited to use in bottle vending machines but may have desirable application in other devices adapted to contain vendable articles of merchandise such as packages of disposable tissue, cigarettes, candy, and others.

As disclosed in the patent, above cited, the vending machine with which the merchandise retainer is illustratively associated, is provided with a cabinet having a chamber in which a magazine is rotatably mounted on a vertical axis. The magazine is constructed with a plurality of radially associated receptacles or pockets each of which are adapted to receive a plurality of bottles or other vendable articles in a vertically located stack. The cabinet of the vending machine is provided with a service opening at one side thereof whereby bottles or other merchandise adapted to be contained therein may be inserted radially and horizontally into the pockets in vertical stacks and as the magazine is rotated expose the pockets to the service openmg.

In the use and servicing of the vending machines it has been found that means ar required for maintaining the bottles or other articles inwardly of the pockets in their vertical stacks so that they will not move radially outwardly and become engaged with the interior of the cabinet in which the magazine is rotatably mounted. Inasmuch as operation of such machines to vend articles rotates the magazines relative to their cabinets, engagement of the articles with the walls of the cabinets seriously impedes or precludes successful operation. This drag of the vendable articles on containing cabinets is a well known problem in the vending machine art.

Several vending machines currently available make no provision for the maintenance of vendable articles in proper position in a magazine and thus experience the aforesaid mentioned difliculty. Other vending machines employ devices to retain the vendable articles in position but are subject to certain difliculties the solutions to which the present invention is directed. For example, many such'structures successfully retain the articles in place but make it difficult to load the magazines. Many types of article retaining means for vending machine magazines are expensive and subject to rapid deterioration. Several retainers permit relatively convenient loading and maintenance of articles in the magazine but make it exceedingly difiicult manually to unload the machine. Conventional retainers normally require preconditioning-opening operations preliminary to loading and subsequent closing operations. Inasmuch as the magazines in vending machines require frequent loading, any operation incident to such loading that can be eliminated represents time and labor economies.

In view of the foregoing disadvantages, it is an object of the present invention to provide a retainer which eifectively holds bottles or other articles in the magazine of a vending machine in such a manner that bottles or articles may be quickly and conveniently loaded into the magazine, dependably retained, and expeditiously removed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vending machine minimizing servicing time requirements.

Another object is to provide a retainer for vending machine magazines in which the magazine may be replenished with bottles or merchandise without preconditioning-opening operations preliminary to the reception of bottles or other articles.

Another object is to provide a retainer, by the use oi which in the ma azine of a vending machine, the articles in the magazine may be quickly and conveniently removed from the magazine without preconditioning-opening operations.

Another object is to provide a retainer that is economical to manufacture, simple to assemble, and convenient to use.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description of the invention in the specification.

-In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of an illustrative ma azine of a vending machine employing the re ner of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary elevational view of a lower portion of the magazine illustrating bottles in retained position therein.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view through a portion of the magazine illustrating the retainer of the present invention in transverse section.

Fig. 4 is a further enlarged fragmentary radial sectional view through an outer rim portion of the magazine further illustrating the retainer.

Referring in greater detail to the drawing, and particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, the retainer of the present invention is adapted to be employed or constructed as part of a magazine, such as the exemplary magazine l0. As disclosed in the patent cited above, the magazine is-adapted to be rotatably mounted on a vertical axis and is provided with a pair of relatively vertically located hubs II- which are vertically spaced in axial alignment. A plurality of partitions |2rare each secured, as at-I3, td eachof thehubs extend longitudinally therebetween, andradially outwardly therefrom. The outer, radiallyextended, terminal longitudinal edge of each, of the partitions I2 is bent at substantially right angles to the'inner portion of its respective partition and shaped to form a curved'flange l4, the several flanges providing outwardly disposed faces arranged in spaced relation in. a cylindrical arrangement. The partitionsrarerheld at their outer edges in spaced relationship by securing the flanges I 4 at l5, as by welding, to a pair of: metal bands, |6 located at eachaxialend of the magazine and extendin around the plurality'of: partitions in circumscribing. relation thereto and concentrically related to thehubs. The hubs H, the partitions I2 and the metal bands: |Bpthus form a. complete; integrated magazine lll'with vertical pockets or compartments l1 delineated by adjacent partitions.

elongated, substantially rectangular, retainer strip I8, of flexible and" resilient material islocated. longitudinally against the outer face of each. of; the flanges H and arranged to provide a flexible lip portion ofsubstantially one halfthe total width of? the-strip including the lip portion overhanging or extended from its respective flange. The strips are suitably formed from natural rubber, synthetic rubber, flexible and resilient plastic, fabric belting material, thin spring steel and other materials providing'the desired resilient and flexible characteristics. For reasons soon to become apparent natural or synthetic rubber is preferred.

The strips l9 are preferably held in position by elongated, metal, 2 members 2|. The Z members have baseportions 22 preferably of a transverse curvature corresponding to the curvature of the flanges l4 over which their respective retainerstrips |9 are overlaid; radially, outwardly extended portions 23; and bottle retaining portions 24. extended from the portions 23 in the opposite direction from. the portions 22-. The Z members are mounted on the flanges 4 in clamping relation to their respective retainer strips I9, as. by rivets 25 extending between said flanges and the base portions 22 of the Z members. Thus a. flexible strip I9 is' held between each flange Il'andeach Z member2| with approximately onehalf the width of the strip extending from the terminal edge of the flange l4 and the Z' strip 2| toward the next adjacent flange, retainer strip, and Z member assembly.

One longitudinal edge of the retainer strip I9 is preferably provided with an elongated head 21 therealong which when the flexible strip is in assembled position between the flange I4 and the 2 member 2I, is located against the juncture of its respective flange l4 and partition |2 adjacent the juncture of the base portion 22 and extended portion 23 of its respective Z member 2|. Thus the flexible strip is held from moving edgewardly in the direction of the free flexible lip 20: thereof. The flexible strip: I9 is also preferably formed with a longitudinally extending bead 28 along its outer surface in a position approximately centrally thereof. and located closely adjacent to the terminal edge of its respective flange I4 and abutting thev edge of the base portion 22 of its respective Z member 2|. When assembled as described, the retainer strips are prevented from moving edgewardly from between their clamping flanges and Zmembers in either direction.

The structures described are arranged and of sizes so that the distances between the terminal edges of the flanges M and of the base portions 22 of the Z members 2| are spaced from their respective adjacent beads'Z], extended portions 23 of the 2 members and bottle retainingportions 24 a distance greater than the transverse dimensions of articles to be positioned in the magazine Hi. Further, said structures are arrangedso that thedistances between the extended edge portions of the lip portions 20 are spaced from their respective adjacent beads 21 and extended portions -23 of the 2- members a distance substantially equal to the transverse dimension of the articles to be positioned in the magazine. This relationship is clearly illustrated in Fig. 4. Still further, the distances between the. extended edge portions of the lip portions and their respective adjacent retaining portions 24 of. the 2 members is less than. saidtransverse dimensions of articles positioned in the magazine. So associated, the lip-portions 20 resiliently urge magazine contained articles against the adjacent-bead 21' or extendedportions 23 of the Zmembers in which positions the retaining; portions 24 overlay ends of sucharticles and preclude their radial movement from the magazine. Inasmuch as the retaining portions 24'precludeoutwardmovementof sucharticles, ithas been found convenient to provide a roll: 3'|- at "the edge thereof for article contact.

Gperatz'on Thevending machine, with which the magazine It is employed, is serviced periodically to replenish the supply of articles such as bottles 32, to be vended from the machine. The bottles are quickly and-conveniently positioned in the compartments II- of the magazine by inserting the bottles, crown first, between the rolled edge 3| of said pockets Z member and its adjacent partition. As shown in Fig. 4, the retainer strip readily folds inwardly, as at 33', when a bottle is thrust inwardly thus conveniently admitting the same. When the bottle or merchandise has been inserted into the pocket sufficiently that the outer end or bottom of the bottle has moved radially inwardly past the rolled edge; 3| of the 2 member 2|, the

bottle is released. The-flexed lip portion returns to original position and urges the bottle against its adjacent bead 21 and/or extended portion 23 of the 2 member 2| in a position inwardly of the retaining portion 24. Thus each bottle is held from inadvertent radial outward movement by' bottles are vended by movement axially of the magazine and discharged by any suitable mechanism. The vending operation is not related to the present invention and therefore a suitable structure for effecting the vending operation is not described at this point. For the bottles to move radially outwardly they must pass the retaining portions 24 of the 2 members 3|. Obviously direct radial movement from the positions into which the bottles are urged by the re tainer strips H, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is precluded by the 2 members. In order to pass the retaining portions 24, the bottles must move toward the resilient retaining strips by which they are engaged. Although the lip portions 20 are readily flexed for insertion of the bottles they are much more resistive to edgeward compression. The lip portions do not readily fold outwardly because the bottles are precluded from moving radially outwardly until said lip portions are sufliciently compressed to permit the bottles to pass the retaining portions 24 of the Z members. It being impossible for outward movement of the bottles to fold the lip portions 20 of their resilient retainer strips outwardly because of the blocking efiect of the retainer portions 24 and said lips being resistive to compression, the inadvertent radial movement of the bottles outwardly from the magazine and the problems incident thereto are obviated.

It is occasionally desirable individually to remove the bottles, or other articles radially outwardly from the magazine, as to unload the magazine. The articles may be removed quickly and conveniently from the magazine by manually moving the same forceably toward the compressible lip portion at one side of the pocket l1 and compressing the flexible strip sufliciently that the bottle or merchandise may be moved outwardly without interference of the retainer portion 24 of the adjacent Z member. As the outer end of the article is drawn past the Z member, the lip portion of the retainer strip folds outwardly and oflers substantially no further resistance to article removal.

The broad essence of the present invention is believed to reside in the association and arrangement of a resilient and flexible retainer strip with an inflexible retaining member, the 2 member 2 I, at the mouth of a compartment, such as the compartments I! described, whereby the retainer strip is radially folded by insertion of an article into the pocket so as to offer a minimum of resistance to such insertion, whereby the resilient strip urges the inserted article into a position in which outward movement thereof is blocked by the retaining member, whereby edgeward resistance to compression of the retaining strip resists inadvertent displacement of the article from position in the compartment, and whereby the article may be moved radially outwardly from the compartment past the retaining member by forcibly, edgewardly compressing the retainer strip and by such outward movement outwardly folding the retainer strip, in which folded condition said strip ofiers a minimum of resistance to removal of the article.

The device of the present invention is economical to produce and easy to install. Once installed it dependably maintains articles, such as bottles 32, dependably in desired magazine position. The magazine is conveniently and easily loaded by insertion of articles into the magazine without any preconditioning of the magazine for reception of the articles. Articles in the magazine are dependably maintained in position against inadvertent displacement therefrom and thus the difliculties experienced in bottle vending machines of the bottles dragging on a cabinet housing the magazine are obviated. The articles are conveniently and easily removed from the magazine without preconditioning the magazine for such removal. The edgeward resistance to compressibility of the flexible strip is employed to retain bottles in the magazine in a position in which removal is blocked by the 2 member and the ability of said strip readily to fold facilitates loading and unloading of the magazine.

Although I have herein shown and described my invention in what I have conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of my invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices.

Having described my invention, which I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A construction of the character described comprising a, compartment having opposite side walls, the compartment being adapted to receive an article of merchandise therein for vending purposes with one side of the merchandise disposed outwardly of the compartment, the article having space for relative movement between the side walls, a rigid lip on one of the side walls extending toward the other side wall for holding the merchandise against removal from the receptacle when the merchandise is located toward said lips respective side wall, and a transversely flexible strip on the opposite side wall edgewardly extended toward the wall bearing the lip urging the merchandise toward said wall, the lip being positioned outwardly of the strip from the compartment.

2. In combination with a substantially cylindrical magazine having a plurality of radially positioned partitions longitudinally arranged in the magazine; strips of flexible and resilient material mounted along the radially extended edges of the partitions and having lip portions extended toward an adjacent partition, said lip portions being extended in a common direction in relation to the periphery of the magazine; and rigid members mounted on said radially extended edges of the partitions in overlying relation to the resilient strips, outwardly extended therefrom, and thence peripherally extended relative to the magazine toward the adjacent partition opposite that toward which its respective resilient strip is extended whereby interstices between the radially extended edges of adjacent partitions are bounded on one side by the flexible and resilient lip portions of the strips and on the other by the oppositely peripherally extended portions of the rigid members.

3. In combination with a substantially cylindrical magazine of a bottle vending machine having a plurality of radially positioned partitions longitudinally arranged in the magazine, the radially extended edges of the partitions being bent to conform substantially to the periphery of the magazine; strips of flexible and resilient material mounted along the peripherally extended outer edges of the partitions and having lip portions extended toward an adjacent partition, said lip portions being extended in a common direction in relation to the circumference of the magazine; and substantially transinwverlying re1ation-b the resilient-strips, outwardly extended-therefrom; and thenceflperiphm ally extendedrelative to-whemagazine toward 5 the adjacent partition opposite that toward.- which 'ts'respective resilient; strip isex-tended.

: HARRYS:

-REFERENGES Y CITED rhedollow-ing "references are (at 're'cord' -ln an: file 1 of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENT'S 

